[Technical Field]
[0001] Embodiments relate to a liquid lens, and a camera module and an optical device including
the same. More particularly, embodiments relate to a camera module and an optical
device which include a control module or a control device for controlling a liquid
lens capable of adjusting a focal length using electrical energy.
[Background Art]
[0002] Users of portable devices desire to own optical devices having high resolution, small
size, and various capture functions. The various capture functions include, for example,
an auto-focus (AF) function and an optical image stabilization (OIS) function for
compensating for tremor of user's hands or counteracting shaking of an optical device.
Such capture functions may be implemented through a method of combining multiple lenses
to directly move the lenses. However, if the number of lenses increases, the size
of the optical device may increase. To perform the AF and OIS functions, a module
of multiple lenses which are fixed in a lens holder and have arranged optical axes
moves or tilts in the direction of the optical axes or in a vertical direction of
the optical axes and an additional lens driving device is used to drive the lens module.
However, the lens driving device has high power consumption and is thick in thickness
because a cover glass for protecting the lens module should be provided separately
from a camera module. Accordingly, studies on a liquid lens for performing the AF
and OIS functions by electrically adjusting the curvature of an interface of two types
of liquid have been conducted.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
[0003] According to embodiments, in a camera module including a lens capable of adjusting
a focal length using electrical energy, a high driving voltage is generated to drive
the lens even by a low voltage, using a switching circuit and a negative voltage,
thereby reducing the size of an integrated circuit for controlling the lens.
[0004] Further, according to embodiments, a positive voltage and a negative voltage are
alternately supplied to a common electrode even when a low voltage is supplied to
a plurality of terminals of a lens capable of adjusting a focal length, thereby generating
a high voltage for driving the lens.
[0005] Still further, according to embodiments, distortion of an interface which may occur
when the difference in voltage between electrodes increases is prevented by floating
partial electrodes to control a driving voltage of a lens capable of adjusting a focal
length, thereby more stably performing optical image stabilization, i.e., an OIS function.
[0006] Still further, according to embodiments, a pulse of a voltage provided to a common
terminal and a plurality of terminals is controlled in detail using floating to control
a driving voltage of a lens capable of adjusting a focal length, thereby raising resolution
and a range of lens control.
[0007] Still further, embodiments are applied to a portable device and a circuit for controlling
a lens adjusting a focal length in correspondence to a driving voltage applied between
a common terminal and a plurality of terminals uses a ground voltage as a power voltage,
thereby reducing power consumption of the circuit and a camera module.
[0008] The technical objects that can be achieved through the present invention are not
limited to what has been particularly described hereinabove and other technical objects
not described herein will be more clearly understood by persons skilled in the art
from the following detailed description.
[Technical Solution]
[0009] In one embodiment, a camera module may include a liquid lens including a plurality
of electrodes; and a control circuit connected electrically to the plural electrodes
and configured to control the liquid lens, wherein the plural electrodes includes
a common electrode, which is disposed on the liquid lens and includes one subelectrode,
and an individual electrode, which is disposed under the liquid lens and includes
a plurality of subelectrodes, and wherein the control circuit includes a first voltage
generator for generating a first voltage; and a second voltage generator for generating
a second voltage having a polarity opposite to the first voltage. At least one of
the individual electrodes may be floated while the first voltage, the second voltage,
or a ground voltage is applied to the common electrode.
[0010] The second voltage generator may include a charge pump for receiving the first voltage
from the first voltage generator and changing a polarity of the first voltage to output
the first voltage having the changed polarity.
[0011] The first voltage may have a positive polarity and the second voltage generator may
output the second voltage of a negative polarity having the same magnitude as the
first voltage independently of the first voltage generator.
[0012] Switching elements included in the at least one first switch may be commonly disposed
in the plural subelectrodes of the individual electrode and switching elements included
in the plural third switches may be independently disposed in each subelectrode of
the individual electrode.
[0013] Subelectrodes of at least two individual electrodes disposed at a symmetrical location
based on the center of the liquid lens among the plural electrode sectors may be floated
during a preset time.
[0014] All of the subelectrodes of the individual electrode may be floated during a preset
time.
[0015] In another embodiment, a camera module may include a liquid lens including a plurality
of electrodes; and a control circuit connected electrically to the plural electrodes
and configured to control the liquid lens. The liquid lens may include a first plate
including a cavity in which a conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid are disposed;
a first electrode disposed on the first plate; and a second electrode which is disposed
under the first plate and includes subelectrodes. The control circuit may include
a first voltage generator for outputting a first voltage; a second voltage generator
for outputting a second voltage having a polarity opposite to the first voltage; a
first switch for transmitting the first voltage or a ground voltage; a second switch
for transmitting the second voltage or the ground voltage; and third switches connected
to the first switch and the second switch and connected to the subelectrodes. Each
of the number of the third switches and the number of the subelectrodes may be at
least 4. The four third switches may be respectively connected to the four subelectrodes
and, when there is a difference between voltages applied to at least two of the four
subelectrodes, the other two subelectrodes may be floated.
[0016] In another embodiment, a circuit for controlling a liquid lens including a plurality
of subelectrodes may include a first voltage generator configured to output a first
voltage; a second voltage generator configured to output a second voltage having a
polarity opposite to the first voltage; a first switch for transmitting the first
voltage or a ground voltage; a second switch for transmitting the second voltage or
the ground voltage; and third switches connected to the first switch and the second
switch and connected to the plural subelectrodes, wherein the third switches may float
at least one of the plural subelectrodes during a preset time.
[0017] In still another embodiment, a method of controlling a liquid lens having a plurality
of subelectrodes including a first subelectrode may include applying a first voltage,
a second voltage having a polarity opposite to the first voltage, or a ground voltage
to the first subelectrode; floating the first subelectrode during a preset time; and
applying the first voltage, the second voltage, or the ground voltage after floating
the first subelectrode during a preset time.
[0018] In still another embodiment, a camera module may include a liquid lens including
a plurality of electrodes; and a control circuit connected electrically to the plural
electrodes and configured to control the liquid lens. The liquid lens may include
a first plate including a cavity in which a conductive liquid and a nonconductive
liquid are disposed; a first electrode disposed on the first plate; and a second electrode
which is disposed under the first plate and includes a subelectrode. The control circuit
may include a first voltage generator for outputting a first voltage; a second voltage
generator for outputting a second voltage having a polarity opposite to the first
voltage; a first switch for transmitting the first voltage or a ground voltage; a
second switch for transmitting the second voltage or the ground voltage; and a third
switch connected to the first switch, the second switch, and the subelectrode. Each
of the third switch and the subelectrode may be plural and the plural third switches
may be respectively connected to the subelectrodes. The control circuit may cut off
at least one of the third switches during a preset time to prevent the first voltage,
the second voltage, or the ground voltage from being transmitted to at least one of
the subelectrodes.
[0019] The third switch may include a first switch element connected to the first switch
and a second switch element connected to the second switch and cut off the first switch
element and the second switch element during a preset time to prevent the first voltage,
the second voltage, or the ground voltage from being transmitted to the at least one
subelectrode.
[0020] The above technical solutions are merely some parts of the embodiments of the present
invention and various embodiments into which the technical features of the present
invention are incorporated can be derived and understood by persons skilled in the
art from the following detailed description of the present invention.
[Advantageous Effects]
[0021] The effects of the device according to the present invention are as follows.
[0022] Embodiments may achieve a compact size of an element constituting an integrated circuit
for controlling a lens by generating a driving voltage of the lens capable of adjusting
a focal length using a negative voltage.
[0023] Further, embodiments may reduce the size of a circuit for generating a supply voltage
for controlling a lens capable of adjusting a focal length, and raise productivity
and decrease manufacturing cost because resolution and a range may be ensured even
by a low-end control circuit.
[0024] Still further, embodiments increase a range within which an image may be corrected
through optical image stabilization (OIS) and perform efficient image correction by
performing a stable optical image stabilization function, i.e., OIS function even
when there is a big difference in driving voltage between electrodes in a process
of controlling movement of an interface in a liquid lens.
[0025] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that that the effects that can
be achieved through the present invention are not limited to what has been particularly
described hereinabove and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly
understood from the following detailed description.
[Description of Drawings]
[0026]
FIG. 1 illustrates problems of a method of controlling a lens capable of adjusting
a focal length using electrical energy.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a camera module.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a lens assembly included in a camera module.
FIG. 4 illustrates a liquid lens, a focal length of which is adjusted in correspondence
to a driving voltage.
FIG. 5 illustrates movement of an interface of a liquid lens.
FIG. 6 illustrates a first driving method of a liquid lens.
FIG. 7 illustrates a second driving method of a liquid lens.
FIG. 8 illustrates a first embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 10 illustrates the structure of a liquid lens.
FIG. 11 illustrates a third embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 13 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 14 illustrates a first operation example according to an embodiment of the control
circuit illustrated in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 illustrates a second operation example according to an embodiment of the control
circuit illustrated in FIG. 13.
FIG. 16 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 17 illustrates a seventh embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 18 illustrates an eighth embodiment of a control circuit.
FIG. 19 illustrates a first operation example according to an embodiment of the control
circuit illustrated in FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 illustrates a second operation example according to an embodiment of the control
circuit illustrated in FIG. 18.
[Best Mode]
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated
in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in
the drawings. However, the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments
set forth herein, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
[0028] While terms, such as "first", "second", etc., may be used to describe various components,
such components must not be limited by the above terms. The above terms are used only
to distinguish one component from another. In addition, terms particularly defined
in consideration of construction and operation of the embodiments are used only to
describe the embodiments and do not define the scope of the embodiments.
[0029] In the description of the embodiments, it will be understood that, when an element
is referred to as being formed "on" or "under" another element, it can be directly
"on" or "under" the other element or be indirectly formed with intervening elements
therebetween. It will also be understood that, when an element is referred to as being
"on" or "under," "under the element" as well as "on the element" can be included based
on the element.
[0030] As used herein, relational terms, such as "on"/"upper part"/"above", "under"/"lower
part"/"below," and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or element
from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical
or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates problems of a method of controlling a lens capable of adjusting
a focal length using electrical energy. Specifically, FIG. 1(a) illustrates a control
circuit for applying a driving voltage to a lens and FIG. 1(b) is a waveform diagram
illustrating a method of applying a driving voltage to a lens.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1(a), the control circuit may include a voltage booster 12 for
receiving a supply voltage VIN and boosting the level of the received voltage, a voltage
stabilizer 14 for stabilizing the output of the voltage booster 12, and a switching
unit 16 for selectively supplying the output of the voltage booster 12 to a lens 10.
[0033] Herein, the switching unit 16 may include a circuit configuration typically called
an H bridge. A high voltage output from the voltage booster 12 is applied as a power
voltage of the switching unit 16. The switching unit 16 may selectively supply the
applied power voltage and a ground voltage to both terminals of the lens 10.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1(b), a voltage of a pulse type having a predetermined width may
be applied to the both terminals of the lens 10, i.e., a common terminal C0 and an
individual electrode L1. A driving voltage Vop applied to the lens 10 corresponds
to the difference in voltage between the common terminal C0 and the individual electrode
L1. Accordingly, if a voltage of the same level is applied with a time difference
to the common terminal C0 and the individual electrode L1, it may be understood that
the driving voltage Vop of 0 V is applied to the lens 10. Referring to FIG. 1(b),
when the same voltage is applied through the common terminal C0, it may be understood
that driving voltages Vop1 and Vop2 having pulse widths different from each other
are applied to both terminals of the lens 10 according as a voltage applied to the
individual electrode L1 has a time difference with the voltage applied to the common
terminal C0.
[0035] In this case, an operating voltage output from the voltage booster 12 has a level
of about 70 V. Therefore, elements included in the switching unit 16 need to be driven
at a high voltage of a level of 70 V. The elements that should be driven at the high
voltage have difficulty in being miniaturized. The elements that may be driven at
the high voltage should satisfy characteristics of a breakdown voltage, specific on-resistance,
a safe operating area (SOA), and a maximum forward voltage. If the elements operating
at the high voltage are made excessively small, an element such as a transistor may
not perform a function of switching or amplification. For these reasons, it is difficult
to miniaturize a control circuit for supplying a driving voltage of the lens 10 and
production cost may be raised due to low productivity.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment.
[0037] The camera module illustrated in FIG. 2 may include a lens assembly 22, a control
circuit 24, and an image sensor 26.
[0038] The lens assembly 22 may include a plurality of lenses. The plural lenses may include
a first lens, a focal length of which is adjusted in correspondence to a driving voltage
applied between a common terminal and a plurality of individual electrodes.
[0039] The control circuit 24 may serve to supply the driving voltage to the first lens.
[0040] The image sensor 26 is aligned with the lens assembly 22 and may convert light transmitted
through the lens assembly 22 into an electrical signal.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the camera module may include the plural circuits 24 and 26
and the lens assembly 22 including a plurality of lenses, which are formed on one
printed circuit board (PCB), but this is purely exemplary and embodiments are not
limited thereto. The construction of the control circuit 24 may be differently designed
according to specifications required for the camera module. Particularly, if the magnitude
of an operating voltage applied to the lens assembly 22 is reduced, the control circuit
24 may be implemented by a single chip. Then, the size of the camera module mounted
in a portable device may be further reduced.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lens assembly 22 included in the camera module
according to an embodiment.
[0043] The lens assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 3 may include a first lens unit 100, a second
lens unit 200, a liquid lens 300, a lens housing 400, and a connection terminal 500.
The structure of the lens assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 3 is purely exemplary and
may differ according to specifications required for the camera module. For example,
in the illustrated example, the liquid lens unit 300 is located between the first
lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200. However, as another example, the liquid
lens unit 300 may be located on (in front of) the first lens unit 100.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, the first lens unit 100 is disposed at the front portion of
the lens assembly and light is incident thereon from the exterior of the lens assembly.
The first lens unit 100 may include at least one lens. Alternatively, the first lens
unit 100 may include two or more lenses arranged based on a central axis PL to form
an optical system.
[0045] The first lens unit 100 and second lens unit 200 may be mounted in the lens housing
400. In this case, a through hole may be formed in the lens housing 400 and the first
lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200 may be arranged in the through hole. In
addition, the liquid lens unit 300 may be inserted into a space between the first
lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200 arranged in the lens housing 400.
[0046] Meanwhile, the first lens unit 100 may include an exposure lens 110. The exposure
lens 110 is extruded to the exterior of the lens housing 400 so that the exposure
lens 110 may be externally exposed. Since the exposure lens 110 is exposed to the
exterior, the surface thereof may be damaged. If the surface of the exposure lens
110 is damaged, the picture quality of an image captured by the camera module may
be deteriorated. To prevent or suppress the surface of the exposure lens 110 from
being damaged, a cover glass (not illustrated) may be disposed on the exposure lens
110 or a coating layer (not illustrated) may be formed on the exposure lens 110. Alternatively,
the exposure lens 110 may be formed of an abrasion-resistant material.
[0047] The second lens unit 200 may be disposed at the back side of the first lens unit
100 and the liquid lens unit 300 and light incident from the exterior to the first
lens unit 100 may pass through the liquid lens unit 300 and then may be incident to
the second lens unit 200. The second lens unit 200 may be separated from the first
lens unit 100 and may be disposed in the through hole formed in the lens housing 400.
[0048] Meanwhile, the second lens unit 200 may include at least one lens. If the second
lens unit 200 includes two or more lenses, the plural lenses may be arranged based
on the central axis PL to form an optical system.
[0049] The liquid lens unit 300 may be disposed between the first lens unit 100 and the
second lens unit 200 and may be inserted into an insertion hole 410 of the lens housing
400. The liquid lens unit 300 may also be arranged based on the central axis PL, like
the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200.
[0050] A lens region 310 may be included in the liquid lens unit 300. The lens region 310
is a region to which light which has passed through the first lens unit 100 is transmitted
and may include liquid in at least a part thereof. For example, the lens region 310
may include two types of liquids, i.e., a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid.
The conductive liquid and the non-conductive liquid may not be mixed to form an interface.
The interface of the conductive liquid and the nonconductive liquid may be modified
by a driving voltage applied through the connection terminal 500, so that the curvature
and focal length of the liquid lens unit 300 may be changed. If the modification of
the interface and change of the curvature of the liquid lens unit are controlled,
the liquid lens unit 300, and the lens assembly and the camera module including the
liquid lens unit 300 may perform an optical zoom function, an AF function, and an
OIS function, etc.
[0051] FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b) illustrate a lens, a focal length of which is adjusted in
correspondence to a driving voltage. Specifically, FIG. 4(a) illustrates a first lens
28 included in the lens assembly 22 (refer to FIG. 3) and FIG. 4(b) is an equivalent
circuit of the lens 28.
[0052] First, referring to FIG. 4(a), the lens 28, a focal length of which is adjusted according
to a driving voltage, may receive an operating voltage through individual electrodes
L1, L2, L3, and L4. The individual electrodes may have the same angular distance and
may include four individual electrodes arranged in different directions. If the operating
voltage is applied through the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4, an interface
of a conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid formed in the lens region 310 may
be modified.
[0053] In addition, referring to FIG. 4(b), the lens 28 may be regarded as a plurality of
capacitors 30 each having one terminal configured to receive the operating voltage
from the different individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 and the other terminal
connected to a common terminal C0. Herein, each of the plural capacitors 30 included
in the equivalent circuit may have small capacitance of a level of about 200 pico-Farad
(pF).
[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates movement of an interface of a liquid lens. Specifically, FIGS.
5(a) to FIG. 5(d) illustrate movements of interfaces 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d which
may occur when driving voltages are applied to individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and
L4 of the liquid lens 28.
[0055] First, referring to FIG. 5(a), if substantially the same driving voltages are applied
to the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the liquid lens 28, an interface
30a may maintain a shape similar to a circle. In this case, since there is no substantial
difference between each of the driving voltages applied to the first and third individual
electrodes L1 and L3, respectively, and each of the driving voltages applied to the
second and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4, respectively, a distance LH between
the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3 is substantially the same as a
distance LV between the second and forth individual electrodes L2 and L4 and movement
of the interface 30a (e.g., a slant angle) may keep equilibrium.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 5(b), the case is illustrated in which each of the driving voltages
applied to the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3 of the liquid lens
28, respectively, is slightly lower than each of the driving voltages applied to the
second and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4, respectively. In this case, since
force pulling or pushing the interface 30b may differ in a horizontal direction and
a vertical direction, the length of the horizontal direction (i.e., the distance LH
between the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3) may be shorter than the
distance of the vertical direction (i.e., the distance LV between the second and fourth
individual electrodes L2 and L4). If each of the driving voltages applied to the second
and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4, respectively, is higher than each of the
driving voltages applied to the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3, respectively,
since a slant angle of the interface 30b of the liquid lens 28 in the second and fourth
individual electrodes L2 and L4 is higher than a slant angle of the interface 30b
of the liquid lens 28 in the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3, the
length LV of the vertical direction is longer than the length LH in the horizontal
direction although they appear to be same in the plane.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 5(c), the case is illustrated in which the difference between the
respective driving voltages applied to the first and third individual electrodes L1
and L3 of the liquid lens 28 and the respective driving voltages applied to the second
and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4 of the liquid lens 28 is large. In this
case, since force pulling or pushing the interface 30c may greatly differ in the horizontal
direction and the vertical direction, the outer shape, i.e., an edge, of the interface
30c may be curved or twisted. This phenomenon may result in distortion of the liquid
lens 28. When the respective driving voltages applied to the first and third individual
electrodes L1 and L3 of the liquid lens 28 and the respective driving voltages applied
to the second and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4 of the liquid lens 28 are
different to some degree, whether the liquid lens 28 is distorted and a distortion
level of the liquid lens 28 may differ according to the structure and properties of
the liquid lens 28. For example, a slant of 0.6° or more in a specific direction is
compensated for by an OIS function, the interface 30c of the liquid lens 28 may be
twisted. In this case, the difference between the length of the horizontal direction
(i.e., the length LH between the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3)
and the length of the vertical direction (i.e., the distance LV between the second
and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4) may further increase compared with the
case of the interface 30b described with reference to FIG. 5(b).
[0058] Referring to FIG. 5(d), when the driving voltages applied to the first and third
individual electrodes L1 and L3 of the liquid lens 28 and the driving voltages applied
to the second and fourth individual electrodes L2 and L4 of the liquid lens 28 differ
by a preset level or more, the outer shape, i.e., the edge, of the interface 30d can
be prevented from being curved or the interface 30d may be prevented from being twisted,
by floating the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3 in a state in which
the driving voltages applied to the second and fourth individual electrodes L2 and
L4 are maintained. Herein, floating state, which is well-known to the person skilled
in the art, may mean an unknown state because the state is floated. The floating state
may be formed by cutting off connecting a first voltage, a second voltage, and a ground
voltage to a corresponding electrode. The floating state may be a state in which connection
between a voltage source and a ground (reference voltage) is cut off. If a part of
electrodes included in the liquid lens 28 is floated during a preset time or duration,
force in a direction in which a corresponding electrode is located may be temporarily
stopped. It may be difficult to clearly explain a potential difference of a floated
electrode. However, in FIG. 5(d), the interface 30d may induce natural balance of
force through floating, unlike the case of FIG. 5(c) in which unbalance occurs by
applying force to the interface 30c in a specific direction. Accordingly, even when
the difference between the length of the horizontal direction (i.e., the distance
LH between the first and third individual electrodes L1 and L3) and the length in
the vertical direction (i.e., the distance LV between the second and fourth individual
electrodes L2 and L4) is large, the liquid lens 28 may be prevented from being distorted.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a first driving method of a liquid lens according
to an embodiment.
[0060] As illustrated, an interface of the liquid lens may be controlled by applying preset
voltages (e.g., a ground voltage of 0 V and a high voltage of 70 V) to a plurality
of individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 and a common electrode C0 of the liquid
lens. In the present specification, the ground voltage may be a reference potential
in a control circuit and a reference voltage of the control circuit.
[0061] Movement of the interface of the liquid lens may be controlled by potential differences
between the individual electrodes and the common electrode. To apply a ground voltage
of 0 V to one electrode of the liquid lens and a high voltage of 70 V to another electrode
of the liquid lens, an operation of turning on a switch connected between the ground
voltage 0 V and one electrode and on operation of turning on a switch capable of supplying
the high voltage of 70 V output from a voltage booster in the control circuit to the
other electrode may be performed.
[0062] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second driving method of a liquid lens according
to an embodiment.
[0063] As illustrated, an interface of the liquid lens may be controlled by applying preset
voltages (e.g., a ground voltage of 0 V and a high voltage of 70 V) to a plurality
of individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 and a common electrode C0 of the liquid
lens. Unlike FIG. 6, some electrodes may be floated to control the interface of the
liquid lens in FIG. 7. For example, during the predetermined time, the high voltage
of 70 V may be applied to one electrode of the liquid lens and the other electrode
of the liquid lens may be maintained in a floated state, rather than applying the
ground voltage of 0 V to the other electrode of the liquid lens.
[0064] Specifically, a timing chart of a case 1 in which the first individual electrode
L1 is not floated may be compared with a timing chart of a case 2 in which the first
individual electrode L1 is floated. If the first individual electrode L1 is floated,
a floating voltage V may be a free state although it is difficult to clearly explain
the floating voltage. For example, if the first individual electrode L1 is floated,
the potential of the first individual electrode L1 may gradually decrease or may repeat
rising and lowering. However, if the high voltage of 70 V is applied to the first
individual electrode L1 in a free state and then the first individual electrode L1
enters a floating state, it may be assumed that the potential of the first individual
electrode L1 will gradually decrease. If partial electrodes maintain a floating state
that cannot be known and a driving voltage is applied to the other electrodes, a correction
value increases as in FIG. 5(d) and, if the difference between driving voltages is
big, natural balance of force may be induced.
[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a control circuit. Herein,
the control circuit is a circuit for applying an operating voltage to the lens 28
(refer to FIG. 4) which is included in the lens assembly 22 and has a focal distance
adjusted according to a driving voltage. Referring to the equivalent circuit of the
lens 28, the lens 28 may be regarded as including the plural capacitors 30 and the
individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 for supplying the operating voltage to the
respective capacitors 30 may be independently controlled. Hereinafter, for convenience
of description, one capacitor 30 connected to one individual terminal will be explained
by way of example to describe the control circuit.
[0066] The control circuit illustrated in FIG. 8 may include an individual electrode controller
34 and a common terminal controller 36. The individual electrode controller 34 and
the common terminal controller 36 may receive a ground voltage as a power voltage
and receive an operating voltage having the magnitude of 1/2 of a driving voltage
from a voltage booster 32. The individual electrode controller 34 may supply the operating
voltage to the individual electrode of the capacitor 30 in the form of a positive
voltage and a negative voltage and the common terminal controller 36 may supply the
operating voltage to the common terminal of the capacitor 30 in the form of the positive
voltage and the negative voltage. The individual electrode controller 34 may supply
the operating voltage to the individual electrode in the form of the positive voltage
and the negative voltage when a ground voltage, a reference potential, or a reference
voltage is regarded as 0 V, and the common terminal controller 36 may supply the operating
voltage to the common electrode of the capacitor 30 in the form of the positive voltage
and the negative voltage. The individual electrode controller 34 and the common terminal
controller 36 may have substantially the same construction. Hereinafter, the individual
electrode controller 34 will be described in more detail.
[0067] The individual electrode controller 34 may include a charge pump 46 for adjusting
the operating voltage provided by a voltage booster 32 to a negative voltage. The
individual electrode controller 34 may also include a switching unit including a plurality
of switches. The switching unit may include a first switch 42 for selecting one of
the ground voltage and the operating voltage, a second switch 48 for selecting one
of an output of the charge pump 46 and the ground voltage, and a third switch 44 for
selecting one of outputs of the first switch 42 and the second switch 48 and applying
the selected output to the individual electrode of the capacitor 30. Herein, each
of the first switch 42, the second switch 48, and the third switch 44 may include
at least one transistor. For example, each of the switches 42, 48, 44 may include
two transistors.
[0068] Meanwhile, the first switch 42 and the second switch 48 in the individual electrode
controller 34 may use the ground voltage as a bias voltage to determine the operating
voltage applied to the individual electrode or the common electrode of the capacitor
30.
[0069] The control circuit may further include the voltage booster 32 for converting a supply
voltage Vin to the magnitude of the operating voltage. For example, the supply voltage
input to the voltage booster 32 may have a level of 2.5 V to 3.0 V and the operating
voltage output by the voltage booster 32 may have a level of 30 V to 40 V. Herein,
the supply voltage input to the voltage booster 32 may be an operating voltage of
a portable device in which a camera module is mounted.
[0070] Meanwhile, the individual electrode controller 34 and the common terminal controller
36 receive the ground voltage as the power voltage. Therefore, power consumption may
be reduced as compared with the case in which the operating voltage, which is the
output of the voltage booster 32, is applied as the power voltage. For example, when
it is unnecessary for the control circuit to operate, if the operating voltage, which
is the output of the voltage booster 32, is applied as the power voltage, the operating
voltage is not transmitted to the capacitor 30 by the switches 42, 44, and 48. However,
since the operating voltage continues to be applied to the switches, power consumption
may occur. It may be important to reduce power consumption in the camera module mounted
in the portable device. Therefore, the output of the voltage booster 32 is not provided
as the power voltage of the individual electrode controller 34 and the common terminal
controller 36 and is connected to the switch 42.
[0071] FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the control circuit.
[0072] As illustrated, the control circuit connected to a voltage booster 32 for receiving
a supply voltage Vin and outputting an operating voltage may control a voltage applied
to an individual electrode of a capacitor 30.
[0073] The control circuit may include a first voltage stabilizer 52 for stabilizing the
output of the voltage booster 32. The output of the voltage booster 32 may be transmitted
to a first charge pump 46. The first charge pump 46 may include a first element for
selectively transmitting a ground voltage, a second element for selectively transmitting
an operating voltage, and a first capacitor located between the outputs of the first
and second elements and a switching unit. Each of the first and second elements may
include a transistor.
[0074] Meanwhile, a first switch 42 for selecting one of the ground voltage and the operating
voltage may include a third element for selectively transmitting the ground voltage
and a fourth element for selectively transmitting the operating voltage.
[0075] A second switch 48 for selecting one of the output of the first charge pump 46 and
the ground voltage may include a fifth element for selectively transmitting the output
of the first charge pump 46 and a sixth element for selectively transmitting the ground
voltage. Thus, both the first switch 42 and the second switch 48 may selectively transmit
the ground voltage. Since both the first switch 42 and the second switch 48 may transmit
the ground voltage as the operating voltage applied to one terminal of the capacitor
30, if one of the two switches transmits the operating voltage, the other may be connected
to the ground voltage. Therefore, a positive voltage or a negative voltage of the
operating voltage may be determined.
[0076] A third switch 44 for selecting one of the outputs of the first switch 42 and the
second switch 48 and applying the selected output to the individual electrode of the
capacitor 30 may include a seventh element for selectively transmitting the output
of the first switch 42 and an eighth element for selectively transmitting the output
of the second switch 48.
[0077] The control circuit may include a common terminal controller 36. The common terminal
controller 36 may include a second voltage stabilizer 54, a second charge pump 66,
a fourth switch 62, a fifth switch 68, and a sixth switch 64. Herein, the second voltage
stabilizer 54 may have the same construction as the first voltage stabilizer 54 and
the second charge pump 66 may have the same construction as the first charge pump
46. The fourth switch 62 may have the same construction as the first switch 42, the
fifth switch 68 may have the same construction as the second switch 48, and the sixth
switch 64 may have the same construction as the third switch 44.
[0078] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram of a liquid lens according to an embodiment.
[0079] As illustrated, a liquid lens 28 may include a liquid, a first plate 114, and electrodes.
Liquids 122 and 124 included in the liquid lens 28 may include a conductive liquid
and a nonconductive liquid. The first plate 114 may include a cavity 150 in which
the conductive liquid and the nonconductive liquid are disposed. The cavity 150 may
include a slanted surface. Electrodes 132 and 134 may be disposed on the first plate
114. That is, the electrodes 132 and 134 may be disposed at the upper portion of the
first plate 114 and the lower portion of the first plate 114, respectively. The liquid
lens 28 may further include a second plate 112 which may be disposed at the upper
(or lower) portion of the electrodes 132 and 134. The liquid lens 28 may further include
a third plate 116 which may be disposed at the lower (or upper) portion of the electrodes
132 and 134. As illustrated, an embodiment of the liquid lens 28 may include an interface
130 formed by the two different liquids 122 and 124. An embodiment of the liquid lens
28 may include at least one or more substrates 142 and 144 for supplying a voltage
to the liquid lens 28. An edge of the liquid lens 28 may be thinner in thickness than
the center of the liquid lens 28.
[0080] The liquid lens 28 includes two different liquids, for example, the conductive liquid
122 and the nonconductive liquid 124. The curvature and shape of the interface 130
formed by the two liquids may be adjusted by a driving voltage applied to the liquid
lens 28. The driving voltage supplied to the liquid lens 28 may be transmitted through
the first substrate 142 and the second substrate 144. The second substrate 144 may
transmit four distinguishable individual driving voltages and the first substrate
142 may transmit one common voltage. Voltages supplied through the second substrate
144 and the first substrate 142 may be applied to the plural electrodes 134 and 132
exposed to each edge of the liquid lens 28.
[0081] The liquid lens 28 may include the third plate 116 and the second plate 112 having
a transparent material and the first plate 114 which is disposed between the third
plate 116 and the second plate 112. The first plate 114 may include an opening area
having a slanted surface which is predetermined.
[0082] The liquid lens 28 may include the cavity 150 determined by the third plate 116,
the second plate 112, and the opening area of the first plate 114. Herein, the cavity
150 may be filled with the two liquids 122 and 124 having different properties (e.g.,
a conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid) and the interface 130 may be formed
between the two liquids 122 and 124 having different properties.
[0083] At least one of the two liquids 122 and 124 included in the liquid lens 28 is conductive.
The liquid lens 28 may further include an insulation layer 118 disposed on the two
electrodes 132 and 134 disposed on the upper portion and lower portion of the first
plate 114 and on a slanted surface at which the conductive liquid may touch. The insulation
layer 118 covers one electrode (e.g., the second electrode 134) of the two electrodes
132 and 134 and exposes a part of the other electrode (e.g., the first electrode 132)
so that electrical energy may be applied to the conductive liquid (e.g., 122). Herein,
the first electrode 132 may include at least one electrode sector (e.g., C0) and the
second electrode 134 may include two or more electrode sectors (e.g., L1, L2, L3,
and L4 of FIG. 4). For example, the second electrode 134 may include a plurality of
electrode sectors which are sequentially disposed clockwise based on an optical axis.
In the present specification, an electrode sector may be called a subelectrode.
[0084] One or more substrates 142 and 144 may be connected to transmit a driving voltage
to the two electrodes 132 and 134 included in the liquid lens 28. A focal length of
the liquid lens 28 may be adjusted by changing the curvature and slant level of the
interface 130 formed in the liquid lens according to the driving voltage.
[0085] FIG. 11 illustrates a third embodiment of the control circuit.
[0086] As illustrated, the control circuit may include a driving voltage output unit 230A
for outputting a voltage of a preset magnitude having a polarity (positive polarity
or negative polarity), a first switching unit 240 for selectively transmitting one
of a voltage transmitted by the driving voltage output unit 230A and a ground voltage,
and a second switching unit 250 for selectively transmitting a driving voltage transmitted
by the first switching unit 240 to an electrode 260 of the liquid lens 28 (refer to
FIG. 7).
[0087] The driving voltage output unit 230A may include a first voltage generator for increasing
the magnitude of a power voltage or a supply voltage to a preset magnitude and outputting
a first voltage of the increased magnitude, and a charge pump 234 for receiving the
first voltage from the first voltage generator 232, changing the polarity of the first
voltage, and outputting a second voltage having the changed polarity.
[0088] The first switching unit 240 may include a first switch 242 for selectively transmitting
the first voltage transmitted by the first voltage generator 232 and a second switch
244 for selectively transmitting a first ground voltage. The first switching unit
240 may further include a fourth switch 246 for selectively transmitting the second
voltage transmitted by the charge pump 234 and a fifth switch 248 for selectively
transmitting a second ground voltage.
[0089] The first switching unit 240 may include two different input terminals and two different
output terminals. The first ground voltage and the second ground voltage may be electrically
connected to each other.
[0090] The second switching unit 250 may include a third switch 252 and a sixth switch 254.
The third switch 252 may selectively transmit one of the received first voltage and
first ground voltage to the liquid lens electrode 260 and the sixth switch 254 may
selectively transmit one of the received second voltage and second ground voltage
to the liquid lens electrode 260.
[0091] The first switching unit 240 may be commonly disposed in electrodes included in the
liquid lens 28. For example, the first switching unit 240 may be shared between a
plurality of individual electrodes included in the liquid lens and the driving voltage
may be transmitted to the plural individual electrodes through at least one first
switching unit 240.
[0092] On the other hand, the second switching unit 250 needs to be individually disposed
in each electrode included in the liquid lens 28. For example, the second switching
unit 250 may be independently connected to each of the plural individual electrodes
included in the liquid lens 28, so that the second switching unit 250 may not be shared
between the liquid lens electrodes 260.
[0093] FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the control circuit.
[0094] As illustrated, the control circuit may include a voltage generator 232 for generating
a voltage having a preset polarity and magnitude, a charge pump 234 for converting
the polarity of a voltage generated by the voltage generator 232, a plurality of switching
elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 244c, 244d, 244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b for
transmitting a driving voltage to a plurality of electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0
included in a liquid lens, and a plurality of second switching units 250a, 250b, 250c,
250d, and 250e for selectively transmitting voltages transmitted by the plural switching
elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 244c, 244d, 244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b to the
plural electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in the liquid lens. Herein the plural
switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 244c, 244d, 244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and
248b may correspond to the first switching unit 240 described with reference to FIG.
8.
[0095] Except for the three switch elements included in the charge pump 234, the 6 switches
elements, i.e., the first to sixth switches 242, 244, 246, 248, 252, and 254 may be
connected to each liquid lens electrode 260 according to the control circuit described
with reference to FIG. 11. However, in the control circuit described with reference
to FIG. 12, partial switch elements disposed in the individual electrodes L1, L2,
L3, and L4 among the plural electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in the liquid
lens are commonly connected, thereby reducing the number of switch elements. For example,
when the liquid lens includes four individual electrodes and one common electrode,
the control circuit described in FIG. 11 may include a total of 30 (= 5 x 6) switching
elements, whereas the control circuit described in FIG. 12 may include a total of
21 switching elements. That is, in FIG. 12, a total sum of 11 switching elements 242a,
242b, 244a, 244b, 244c, 244d, 244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b and two switching elements
included in each of five second switching units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, and 250e is
21.
[0096] FIG. 13 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the control circuit.
[0097] As illustrated, the control circuit may include a voltage generator 232 for generating
a voltage having a preset polarity and magnitude, a charge pump 234 for converting
the polarity of the voltage generated by the voltage generator 232, a plurality of
switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b for transmitting
a driving voltage to a plurality of electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in
a liquid lens, and a plurality of second switching units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, 250e
for selectively transmitting voltages transmitted by the plural switching elements
242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b to the plural electrodes L1, L2,
L3, L4, and C0 included in the liquid lens. Herein, the plural switching elements
242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b may correspond to the first switching
unit 240 described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0098] Except for three switch elements included in the charge pump 234, when the liquid
lens includes four individual electrodes and one common electrode, the control circuit
described in FIG. 12 may include 21 switching elements, whereas the control circuit
described in FIG. 13 may include 18 switching elements. Switching elements for selectively
transmitting a ground voltage to each individual electrode included in the liquid
lens may be connected commonly without being individually disposed, so that the number
of switching elements included in the control circuit may be further reduced as illustrated
in FIG. 13. If the number of switching elements is reduced, the total size of the
control circuit may be reduced and power consumption may be decreased.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 13, the number of the plural switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a,
244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b corresponding to the first switching unit 240 described
in FIG. 11 may be fixed regardless of the number of electrodes included in the liquid
lens. For example, irrespective of whether 4, 8, 12, or 16 individual electrodes are
included in the liquid lens, the first switching unit 240 shown in FIG. 8 may be implemented
only by 8 switching elements. On the other hand, the number of switching elements
included in the plural second switching units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, and 250e may
be the number of electrodes included in the liquid lens, i.e., the sum of the number
of individual electrodes and the number of common electrodes. In other words, the
number of switching elements included in the plural second switching units 250a, 250b,
250c, 250d, and 250e may be twice the sum of the number of individual electrodes and
the number of common electrodes included in the liquid lens. For example, if four
individual electrodes and one common electrode are included in the liquid lens, the
number of electrodes is 5 and the number of switching elements included in the plural
second switching units may be 10.
[0100] If 8 individual electrodes and one common electrode are included in the liquid lens,
the number of electrodes is 9 and the number of switching elements included in the
plural second switching units may be 18.
[0101] According to an embodiment, even when the number of electrodes included in the liquid
lens varies, the number of switching elements included in the driving voltage control
circuit may be fixed.
[0102] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a first operation example according to an embodiment
of the control circuit illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0103] The liquid lens 28 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 10) includes four individual electrodes
L1, L2, L3, and L4 and one common electrode C0 and it is assumed that the first individual
electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically arranged based
on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode L2 and the
fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the center of the
liquid lens 28. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description will be given
focusing on driving voltages applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second
individual electrode L2, and the common electrode C0. Particularly, the case in which
a positive voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 in FIG. 14 is explained.
[0104] If the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically
arranged based on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode
L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the
center of the liquid lens 28, the same driving voltages may be applied to the first
individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 and the same driving
voltages may be applied to the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual
electrode L4. According to an embodiment, different driving voltages may be applied
to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, the third
individual electrode L3, and the fourth individual electrode L4. For example, the
driving voltages symmetrical to or different from the driving voltages applied to
the first and second individual electrodes L1 and L2 may be applied at the same time
t to the third and fourth individual electrodes L3 and L4. That is, at the same time
t, a driving voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving
voltage applied to the first individual electrode L1 may be applied to the third individual
electrode L2 and a driving voltage having the same level as or a different level from
a driving voltage applied to the second individual electrode L2 may be applied to
the fourth individual electrode L4.
[0105] Referring to the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 14, a plurality of operating modes
①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥ may be present according to timings at which the driving voltage
is applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2,
and the common electrode C0. In the first mode ①, a ground voltage is applied to all
of the common electrode C0, the second individual electrode L2, and the first individual
electrode L1. In the second mode ②, a positive voltage generated by the voltage generator
232 is applied to the common electrode C0 and the ground voltage is applied to each
of the first individual electrode L1 and the second individual electrode L2. In the
third mode ③, the positive voltage generated by the voltage generator 232 is applied
to the common electrode C0 and a negative voltage transmitted by the charge pump is
applied to each of the first individual electrode L1 and the second individual electrode
L2. In the fourth mode ④, the first individual electrode L1 is floated and the second
individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0 are not floated. Then, in the
fourth mode ④, the positive voltage generated by the voltage generator 232 is applied
to the common electrode C0 and the negative voltage is applied to the second individual
electrode L2, whereas the first individual electrode L1 is floated. Referring to the
timing chart, although, in the fourth mode ④, the level of a voltage applied to the
floated first individual electrode L1 is gradually raised, the voltage of the floated
first individual electrode L1 may have a level which is difficult to predict. On the
other hand, a potential difference between the second individual electrode L2 and
the common electrode C0 which are not floated may be clear. In this way, although
it is difficult to clearly explain the potential difference between the first individual
electrode L1 and the common electrode C0, movement of charges may be naturally performed
in a floated state as compared with artificial control of movement of charges. If
movement of charges is naturally performed, the potential difference between the first
individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0 may be gradually reduced as illustrated
in the timing chart. In the fifth mode ⑤, the ground voltage is applied to the common
electrode C0 and the first individual electrode L1 is still floated, whereas the negative
voltage transmitted by the charge pump is applied to the second individual electrode
L2. In the sixth mode ⑥, the ground voltage is applied to all of the common electrode
C0, the first individual electrode L1, and the second individual electrode L2.
[0106] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, movement of an interface 130 included
in the liquid lens 28 may be determined by the magnitude of a driving voltage Vop
applied between the common electrode C0 and the first individual electrode L1 or between
the common electrode C0 and the second individual electrode L2. In this case, movement
of the interface 130 may be controlled by an absolute value of the magnitude of the
driving voltage Vop regardless of the polarity of the driving voltage Vop. For example,
if the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are floated
and the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 maintain
a constant potential difference (i.e., the driving voltage), more natural movement
of the interface 130 may be implemented as described in FIG. 5(d) and damping which
may occur due to a potential difference between individual electrodes may be reduced.
[0107] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, the driving voltage applied to
the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0 may be determined by
ON/OFF of a plurality of switch elements included in the control circuit. When the
ground voltage, the positive voltage, or the negative voltage is applied to the first
individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, and the common electrode
C0, which path and which switch element are used are denoted by dotted lines and arrows
as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0108] Paths denoted by dotted lines and arrows in the circuit of FIG. 14 are purely exemplary
and various combinations of different paths may be used to transmit the driving voltage
to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, and the
common electrode C0 according to an embodiment.
[0109] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a second operation example according to an embodiment
of the control circuit illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0110] The liquid lens 28 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 10) includes four individual electrodes
L1, L2, L3, and L4 and one common electrode C0 and it is assumed that the first individual
electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically arranged based
on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode L2 and the
fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the center of the
liquid lens 28. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description will be given
focusing on a driving voltage applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second
individual electrode L2, and the common electrode C0. Particularly, the case in which
a negative voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 in FIG. 15 is explained.
[0111] If the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically
arranged based on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode
L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the
center of the liquid lens 28, the same driving voltage may be applied to the first
individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 and the same driving
voltage may be applied to the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual
electrode L4. According to an embodiment, different driving voltages may be applied
to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, the third
individual electrode L3, and the fourth individual electrode L4. For example, driving
voltages symmetrical to or different from driving voltages applied to the first and
second individual electrodes L1 and L2 may be applied at the same time t to the third
and fourth individual electrodes L3 and L4. That is, at the same time t, a driving
voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving voltage applied
to the first individual electrode L1 may be applied to the third individual electrode
L3 and a driving voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving
voltage applied to the second individual electrode L2 may be applied to the fourth
individual electrode L4.
[0112] Referring to the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 15, a plurality of operating modes
①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥ may be present according to timings at which the driving voltage
is applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2,
and the common electrode C0. In the first mode ①, a ground voltage is applied to all
of the common electrode C0, the second individual electrode L2, and the first individual
electrode L1. In the second mode ②, a negative voltage transmitted by the charge pump
which converts a positive voltage generated by the voltage generator 232 into the
negative voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 and the ground voltage is applied
to the first individual electrode L1 and the second individual electrode L2. In the
third mode ③, the negative voltage transmitted by the charge pump is applied to the
common electrode C0 and the positive voltage generated by the voltage generator 232
is applied to the first individual electrode L1 and the second individual electrode
L2. In the fourth mode ④, the first individual electrode L1 is floated and the second
individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0 are not floated. Then, in the
fourth mode ④, the negative voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 and the
positive voltage is applied to the second individual electrode L2, whereas the first
individual electrode L1 is floated. Referring to the timing chart, although, in the
fourth mode ④, the level of a voltage applied to the floated first individual electrode
L1 gradually lowered, the voltage of the floated first individual electrode L1 may
have a level which is difficult to predict. Accordingly, a potential difference between
the second individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0, which are not floated,
may be clear. Meanwhile, although it is difficult to clearly explain the potential
difference between the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0,
movement of charges may be naturally performed in a floated state as compared with
artificial control of movement of charges. If movement of charges is naturally performed,
the potential difference between the first individual electrode L1 and the common
electrode C0 may be gradually reduced as illustrated in the timing chart. In the fifth
mode ⑤, the ground voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 and the first individual
electrode L1 is floated, whereas the positive voltage generated by the voltage generator
232 is applied to the second individual electrode L2. In the sixth mode ⑥, the ground
voltage is applied to all of the common electrode C0, the first individual electrode
L1, and the second individual electrode L2.
[0113] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, movement of an interface 130 included
in the liquid lens 28 may be determined by the magnitude of a driving voltage Vop
applied between the common electrode C0 and the first individual electrode L1 or between
the common electrode C0 and the second individual electrode L2. In this case, movement
of the interface 130 may be controlled by an absolute value of the magnitude of the
driving voltage Vop regardless of the polarity of the driving voltage Vop. For example,
if the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are floated
and the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 maintain
a constant potential difference (i.e., the driving voltage), more natural movement
of the interface 130 may be implemented as described in FIG. 5 and damping which may
occur due to a potential difference between individual electrodes may be reduced.
[0114] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, the driving voltages applied to
the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0 may be determined by
ON/OFF of a plurality of switch elements included in the control circuit. When the
ground voltage, the positive voltage, or the negative voltage is applied to the first
individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, and the common electrode
C0, which path and which switch element are used are denoted by dotted lines and arrows
as illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0115] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a driving voltage having a magnitude which is twice
the magnitude of a voltage applied to an electrode may be applied to the liquid lens
by applying voltages having opposite polarities to the first individual electrode
L1 and the common electrode C0 or applying voltages having opposite polarities to
the second individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0. For example, when
a driving voltage of about 70 V is needed to control movement of the interface included
in the liquid lens, if voltages of about 35 V having different polarities are applied
to the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0, substantially the
same effect as applying a driving voltage of about 70 V may be obtained. A switching
element for selectively transmitting a lower voltage may be reduced in size. Then,
the control circuit may be miniaturized and integration thereof may be raised.
[0116] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the control circuit.
[0117] The control circuit illustrated in FIG. 16 may include a driving voltage output unit
230B for outputting a plurality of voltages of a preset magnitude having a polarity
(positive polarity or negative polarity), a first switching unit 240 for selectively
transmitting one of a voltage transmitted by the driving voltage output unit 230B
and a ground voltage, and a second switching unit 250 for selectively transmitting
a driving voltage transmitted by the first switching unit 240 to a liquid lens electrode
260. The liquid lens electrode 260 may be one of the plural electrodes 132 and 134
included in the liquid lens 28 (refer to FIG. 10).
[0118] The driving voltage output unit 230B may include a first voltage generator 232 for
generating a first voltage of a preset increased size based on a power voltage or
a supply voltage and a second voltage generator 236 for generating a second voltage
having a preset increased size based on the power voltage ot the supply voltage and
generating the second voltage having an opposite polarity to the first voltage. As
compared with the control circuit described in FIG. 8, the driving voltage output
unit 230B may include the second voltage generator 236 capable of individually generating
the second voltage instead of using the charge pump 234.
[0119] The first switching unit 240 may include a first switch 242 for selectively transmitting
the first voltage transmitted by the first voltage generator 232 and a second switch
244 for selectively transmitting a first ground voltage. The first switching unit
240 may further include a fourth switch 246 for selectively transmitting a second
voltage transmitted by the charge pump 234 and a fifth switch 248 for selectively
transmitting a second ground voltage.
[0120] The first switching unit 240 may include two different input terminals and two different
output terminals. The first ground voltage and the second ground voltage may be electrically
connected.
[0121] The second switching unit 250 may include a third switch 252 for selectively transmitting
one of the received first voltage and first ground voltage to the liquid lens electrode
260 and a sixth switch 254 for selectively transmitting one of the received second
voltage and second ground voltage to the liquid lens electrode 260.
[0122] The first switching unit 240 may be commonly disposed in electrodes included in the
liquid lens 28. For example, the first switching unit 240 may be shared between a
plurality of individual electrodes included in the liquid lens so that a driving voltage
may be transmitted to the plural individual electrodes through at least one first
switching unit 240.
[0123] On the other hand, the second switching unit 250 needs to be individually disposed
in each electrode included in the liquid lens 28. For example, the second switching
unit 250 may be independently connected to each of the plural individual electrodes
included in the liquid lens 28, so that the second switching unit 250 may not be shared
between the liquid lens electrodes 260.
[0124] FIG. 17 illustrates a seventh embodiment of the control circuit.
[0125] The control circuit illustrated in FIG. 17 may include a first voltage generator
232 for generating a voltage having a preset polarity and magnitude, a second voltage
generator 236 for generating a voltage having an opposite polarity to the voltage
generated from the first voltage generator 232 independently of the first voltage
generator 232, a plurality of switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 244c, 244d,
244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b for transmitting a driving voltage to a plurality
of electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in a liquid lens, and a plurality of
second switching units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, and 250e for selectively transmitting
voltages transmitted by the plural switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 244c,
244d, 244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b to the plural electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and
C0 included in the liquid lens. Herein the plural switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a,
244b, 244c, 244d, 244e, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b may correspond to the first switching
unit 240 described with reference to FIG. 16.
[0126] According to the control circuit described in FIG. 17, 6 switching elements may be
connected to the liquid lens electrode 260. However, in the control circuit described
in FIG. 14, partial switch elements disposed in the individual electrodes L1, L2,
L3, and L4 among the plural electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in the liquid
lens are commonly connected, thereby reducing the number of switch elements. For example,
when the liquid lens includes four individual electrodes and one common electrode,
the control circuit described in FIG. 16 may include a total of 30 (= 5 x 6) switching
elements, whereas the control circuit described in FIG. 17 may include a total of
21 switching elements.
[0127] FIG. 18 illustrates an eighth embodiment of the control circuit.
[0128] The control circuit illustrated in FIG. 18 may include a first voltage generator
232 for generating a voltage having a preset polarity and magnitude, a second voltage
generator 236 for generating a voltage having an opposite polarity to the voltage
generated from the first voltage generator 232 independently of the first voltage
generator 232, a plurality of switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 246a, 246b,
248a, and 248b for transmitting a driving voltage to a plurality of electrodes L1,
L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in a liquid lens, and a plurality of second switching
units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, 250e for selectively transmitting voltages transmitted
by the plural switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b
to the plural electrodes L1, L2, L3, L4, and C0 included in the liquid lens. Herein,
the plural switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a, 244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b may
correspond to the first switching unit 240 described with reference to FIG. 16.
[0129] When the liquid lens includes four individual electrodes and one common electrode,
the control circuit described in FIG. 12 includes 21 switching elements, whereas the
control circuit described in FIG. 18 may include 18 switching elements. Switching
elements for selectively transmitting a ground voltage to each individual electrode
included in the liquid lens may be connected commonly without being individually disposed,
so that the number of switching elements included in the control circuit may further
be reduced as illustrated in FIG. 18. If the number of switching elements is reduced,
the total size of the control circuit may be reduced and power consumption may be
decreased.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 18, the number of the plural switching elements 242a, 242b, 244a,
244b, 246a, 246b, 248a, and 248b corresponding to the first switching unit 240 described
in FIG. 16 may be fixed regardless of the number of electrodes included in the liquid
lens. For example, irrespective of whether 4, 8, 12, or 16 individual electrodes are
included in the liquid lens, the first switching unit 240 described in FIG. 16 may
be implemented only by 8 switching elements. On the other hand, the number of switching
elements included in the plural second switching units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, and
250e may correspond to the number of electrodes included in the liquid lens, i.e.,
the sum of the number of individual electrodes and the number of common electrodes.
In other words, the number of switching elements included in the plural second switching
units 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, and 250e may be twice the sum of the number of individual
electrodes and the number of common electrodes included in the liquid lens. For example,
if there are four individual electrodes and one common electrode included in the liquid
lens, the number of electrodes is 5 and the number of switching elements included
in the plural second switching units may be 10.
[0131] If the number of individual electrodes included in the liquid lens is 8 and the number
of common electrodes included in the liquid lens is 1, the number of electrodes is
9 and the number of switching elements included in the plural second switching units
may be 18. According to an embodiment, even when the number of electrodes included
in the liquid lens varies, the number of switching elements included in the driving
voltage control circuit may be fixed.
[0132] FIG. 19 illustrates a first operation example according to an embodiment of the control
circuit illustrated in FIG. 18. The liquid lens 28 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 10) includes
four individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 and one common electrode C0 and it is
assumed that the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode
L3 are symmetrically arranged based on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second
individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged
based on the center of the liquid lens 28. Hereinafter, for convenience of description,
description will be given focusing on driving voltages applied to the first individual
electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, and the common electrode C0. Particularly,
the case in which a positive voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 in FIG.
19 is explained.
[0133] If the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically
arranged based on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode
L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the
center of the liquid lens 28, the same driving voltages may be applied to the first
individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 and the same driving
voltages may be applied to the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual
electrode L4. According to an embodiment, different driving voltages may be applied
to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, the third
individual electrode L3, and the fourth individual electrode L4. For example, driving
voltages symmetrical to or different from driving voltages applied to the first and
second individual electrodes L1 and L2 may be applied at the same time t to the third
and fourth individual electrodes L3 and L4. That is, at the same time t, a driving
voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving voltage applied
to the first individual electrode L1 may be applied to the third individual electrode
L3 and a driving voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving
voltage applied to the second individual electrode L2 may be applied to the fourth
individual electrode L4.
[0134] Referring to the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 19, a plurality of operating modes
①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥ may be present according to timings at which the driving voltage
is applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2,
and the common electrode C0. In the first mode ①, a ground voltage is applied to all
of the common electrode C0, the second individual electrode L2, and the first individual
electrode L1. In the second mode ②, a positive voltage generated by the first voltage
generator 232 is applied to the common electrode C0 and the ground voltage is applied
to each of the first individual electrode L1 and the second individual electrode L2.
In the third mode ③, the positive voltage generated by the first voltage generator
232 is applied to the common electrode C0 and a negative voltage transmitted by the
second voltage generator 236 is applied to each of the first individual electrode
L1 and the second individual electrode L2. In the fourth mode ④, the first individual
electrode L1 is floated and the second individual electrode L2 and the common electrode
C0 are not floated. That is, in the fourth mode ④, the positive voltage is applied
to the common electrode C0 and the negative voltage is applied to the second individual
electrode L2, whereas the first individual electrode L1 is floated.
[0135] Referring to the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 19, although, in the fourth mode
④, an absolute value of the level of the voltage applied to the floated first individual
electrode L1 is gradually lowered, the voltage of the floated first individual electrode
L1 may have a level which is difficult to predict. Accordingly, a potential difference
between the second individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0, which are
not floated, may be clear. Meanwhile, although it is difficult to clearly explain
a potential difference between the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode
C0, movement of charges may be naturally performed in a floated state as compared
with artificial control of movement of charges. If movement of charges is naturally
performed, the potential difference between the first individual electrode L1 and
the common electrode C0 may be gradually reduced as illustrated in the timing chart.
In the fifth mode ⑤, the ground voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 and
the first individual electrode L1 is floated, whereas the negative voltage transmitted
by the second voltage generator 236 is applied to the second individual electrode
L2. In the sixth mode ⑥, the ground voltage is applied to all of the common electrode
C0, the first individual electrode L1, and the second individual electrode L2.
[0136] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, movement of an interface 130 included
in the liquid lens 28 may be determined by the magnitude of a driving voltage Vop
applied between the common electrode C0 and the first individual electrode L1 or between
the common electrode C0 and the second individual electrode L2. In this case, movement
of the interface 130 may be controlled by an absolute value of the magnitude of the
driving voltage Vop regardless of the polarity of the driving voltage Vop. For example,
if the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are floated
and the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 maintain
a constant potential difference (i.e., the driving voltage), more natural movement
of the interface 130 may be implemented as described in FIG. 5(d) and damping which
may occur due to a potential difference between individual electrodes may be reduced.
[0137] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, the driving voltage applied to
the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0 may be determined by
ON/OFF of a plurality of switch elements included in the control circuit. When the
ground voltage, the positive voltage, or the negative voltage is applied to the first
individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, and the common electrode
C0, which path and which switch element are used are denoted by dotted lines and arrows
as illustrated in FIG. 19.
[0138] Paths denoted by dotted lines and arrows in the circuit of FIG. 19 are purely exemplary
and various combinations of different paths may be used to transmit the driving voltage
to the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0 according to an embodiment.
[0139] FIG. 20 illustrates a second operation example according to an embodiment of the
control circuit illustrated in FIG. 18.
[0140] The liquid lens 28 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 10) includes four individual electrodes
L1, L2, L3, and L4 and one common electrode C0 and it is assumed that the first individual
electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically arranged based
on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode L2 and the
fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the center of the
liquid lens 28. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description will be given
focusing on a driving voltage applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second
individual electrode L2, and the common electrode C0. Particularly, the case in which
a negative voltage is applied to the common electrode C0 in FIG. 20 is explained.
[0141] If the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are symmetrically
arranged based on the center of the liquid lens 28 and the second individual electrode
L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 are symmetrically arranged based on the
center of the liquid lens 28, the same driving voltage may be applied to the first
individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 and the same driving
voltage may be applied to the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual
electrode L4. According to an embodiment, different driving voltages may be applied
to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, the third
individual electrode L3, and the fourth individual electrode L4. For example, a driving
voltage symmetrical to or different from a driving voltage applied to the first and
second individual electrodes L1 and L2 may be applied at the same time t to the third
and fourth individual electrodes L3 and L4. That is, at the same time t, a driving
voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving voltage applied
to the first individual electrode L1 may be applied to the third individual electrode
L3 and a driving voltage having the same level as or a different level from a driving
voltage applied to the second individual electrode L2 may be applied to the fourth
individual electrode L4.
[0142] Referring to the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 20, a plurality of operating modes
①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥ may be present according to timings at which the driving voltage
is applied to the first individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2,
and the common electrode C0. In the first mode ①, a ground voltage is applied to all
of the common electrode C0, the second individual electrode L2, and the first individual
electrode L1. In the second mode ②, a negative voltage transmitted by the second voltage
generator 236 is applied to the common electrode C0 and the ground voltage is applied
to each of the first individual electrode L1 and the second individual electrode L2.
In the third mode ③, the negative voltage generated by second voltage generator 236
is applied to the common electrode C0 and the positive voltage generated by the first
voltage generator 232 is applied to each of the first individual electrode L1 and
the second individual electrode L2. In the fourth mode ④, the first individual electrode
L1 is floated and the second individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0 are
not floated. That is, in the fourth mode ④, the negative voltage is applied to the
common electrode C0 and the positive voltage is applied to the second individual electrode
L2, whereas the first individual electrode L1 is floated. Referring to the timing
chart, although the level of a voltage applied to the floated first individual electrode
L1 in the fourth mode ④ is gradually lowered, the voltage of the floated first individual
electrode L1 may have a level which is difficult to predict. Accordingly, a potential
difference between the second individual electrode L2 and the common electrode C0
which are not floated may be clear. Meanwhile, although it is difficult to clearly
explain the potential difference between the first individual electrode L1 and the
common electrode C0, movement of charges may be naturally performed in a floated state
as compared with artificial control of movement of charges. If movement of charges
is naturally performed, the potential difference between the first individual electrode
L1 and the common electrode C0 may be gradually reduced as illustrated in the timing
chart. In the fifth mode ⑤, the ground voltage is applied to the common electrode
C0 and the first individual electrode L1 is floated, whereas the positive voltage
generated by the voltage generator 232 is applied to the second individual electrode
L2. In the sixth mode ⑥, the ground voltage is applied to all of the common electrode
C0, the first individual electrode L1, and the second individual electrode L2.
[0143] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, movement of an interface 130 included
in the liquid lens 28 may be determined by the magnitude of a driving voltage Vop
applied between the common electrode C0 and the first individual electrode L1 or between
the common electrode C0 and the second individual electrode L2. In this case, movement
of the interface 130 may be controlled by an absolute value of the magnitude of the
driving voltage Vop regardless of the polarity of the driving voltage Vop. For example,
if the first individual electrode L1 and the third individual electrode L3 are floated
and the second individual electrode L2 and the fourth individual electrode L4 maintain
a constant potential difference (i.e., the driving voltage), more natural movement
of the interface 130 may be implemented as described in FIG. 5 and damping which may
occur due to a potential difference between individual electrodes may be reduced.
[0144] In the first to sixth modes ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥, the driving voltage applied to
the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0 may be determined by
ON/OFF of a plurality of switch elements included in the control circuit. When the
ground voltage, the positive voltage, or the negative voltage is applied to the first
individual electrode L1, the second individual electrode L2, and the common electrode
C0, which path and which switch element are used are denoted by dotted lines and arrows
as illustrated in FIG. 20.
[0145] Paths denoted by dotted lines and arrows in the circuit of FIG. 20 are purely exemplary
and various combinations of different paths may be used to transmit the driving voltage
to the first individual electrode L1 and the common electrode C0, according to the
embodiment.
[0146] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a driving voltage having a magnitude which is twice
the magnitude of a voltage applied to an electrode may be applied to the liquid lens
by applying voltages having opposite polarities to the first individual electrode
L1 and the common electrode C0. Then, when a driving voltage of about 70 V is needed
to control movement of the interface included in the liquid lens, if voltages of about
35 V having different polarities are applied to the first individual electrode L1
and the common electrode C0, substantially the same effect as applying a driving voltage
of about 70 V may be obtained. A switching element for selectively transmitting a
lower voltage may be reduced in size. Then, the control circuit may be miniaturized
and integration thereof may be raised.
[0147] The above-described liquid lens may be included in a camera module. The camera module
may include a lens assembly including a liquid lens mounted in a housing and at least
one solid lens disposed in front of or behind the liquid lens, an image sensor for
converting an optical signal transmitted through the lens assembly to an electrical
signal, and a control circuit for supplying a driving voltage to the liquid lens.
[0148] A camera module according to an embodiment may include a liquid lens including a
common electrode and a plurality of individual electrodes; and a control circuit connected
electrically to the common electrode and the individual electrodes and configured
to control the liquid lens, wherein, when a driving voltage for driving the liquid
lens is changed, the control circuit floats at least one of the plural individual
electrodes in a state in which a first voltage is applied to the common electrode.
[0149] The control circuit may apply a second voltage to the at least one individual electrode
after floating the at least one individual electrode.
[0150] The control circuit may include a voltage generator configured to generate a voltage;
a first switching unit configured to selectively switch the voltage generated from
the voltage generator or a ground voltage; and a second switching unit configured
to switch a voltage output from the first switching unit ON or OFF.
[0151] The voltage generator may include a first voltage generator; and a second voltage
generator, wherein a voltage output from the first voltage generator is different
from a voltage output from the second voltage generator.
[0152] The second switching unit may include a first switch configured to switch the voltage
output from the first switching unit ON or OFF; and a second switch configured to
switch the voltage output from the second voltage generator ON or OFF.
[0153] The floating may be a state in which the first switch and the second switch are simultaneously
switched OFF.
[0154] The control circuit may float the individual electrode when driving voltages applied
to at least two individual electrodes among the plural individual electrodes are different.
[0155] The first voltage and the second voltage may be the same voltage.
[0156] The driving voltage may be a root mean square voltage of a voltage applied between
the common electrode and the individual electrodes.
[0157] A camera module according to an embodiment may include a liquid lens including a
common electrode and a plurality of individual electrodes; and a control circuit connected
electrically to the common electrode and the plural individual electrodes and configured
to control the liquid lens, wherein the control circuit may include a voltage generator
configured to generate a voltage; a first switching element disposed between the voltage
generator and the individual electrodes; and a second switching unit disposed between
the first switching unit and the individual electrodes, and wherein, when a driving
voltage applied to the liquid lens is changed, the control circuit may switch the
second switching unit OFF during a preset time.
[0158] The voltage generator may include a first voltage generator; and a second voltage
generator, wherein a voltage output from the first voltage generator is different
from a voltage output from the second voltage generator, and wherein the second switching
unit may include a first switch disposed between the first switching unit and the
individual electrodes; and a second switch disposed between the second voltage generator
and the individual electrodes.
[0159] The switching of the second switching unit OFF during the preset time may be a state
in which the first switch and the second switch are simultaneously switched OFF.
[0160] Change of the driving voltage may be made from a low driving voltage to a high driving
voltage.
[0161] The plural individual electrodes may include first to fourth individual electrodes
disposed sequentially in a circumferential direction, and when a driving voltage applied
to the first individual electrode is different from a driving voltage applied to the
third individual electrode, at least one of the plural individual electrodes may be
floated.
[0162] A method of controlling a liquid lens including a common electrode and a plurality
of individual electrodes according to an embodiment may include, when a driving voltage
applied to the liquid lens is changed, floating at least one of the plural individual
electrodes during a preset time in a state in which a voltage is applied to the common
electrode; and reapplying a voltage to the at least one individual electrode after
floating the at least one individual electrode.
[0163] The floating may include floating at least one of two individual electrodes when
driving voltages applied to the two individual electrodes among the plural individual
electrodes are different.
[0164] The voltage may be a first voltage, a second voltage, or a ground voltage.
[0165] The liquid lens may include a first plate in which a cavity for accommodating a conductive
liquid and a nonconductive liquid are formed; the common electrode disposed on the
first plate; the plural individual electrodes disposed under the first plate; a second
plate disposed on the common electrode; and a third plate disposed under the first
plate.
[0166] Although only several embodiments have been described above with regard to embodiments,
various other embodiments are possible. The technical contents of the above-described
embodiments may be combined in various forms unless they are incompatible and, thus,
may be implemented in new embodiments.
[0167] An optical device (or optical instrument) including the above-described camera module
may be implemented. The optical device may include a device capable of processing
or analyzing an optical signal. Examples of the optical device may include a camera/video
device, a telescope, a microscope, an interferometer, a photometer, a polarimeter,
a spectrometer, a reflectometer, an autocollimator, a lensmeter, etc. and the embodiments
of the present invention may be applied to an optical device including a liquid lens.
The optical device may also be implemented by a portable device such as a smartphone,
a notebook computer, or a tablet computer. Such an optical device may include a camera
module, a display unit for outputting an image, and a body housing in which the camera
module and the display unit are mounted. The optical device may further include a
communication module which is mounted in the body housing and communicates with other
devices and a memory unit for storing data. The method according to the above-described
embodiments may be implemented as a computer-executable program that can be recorded
in a computer-readable medium. Examples of the computer-readable medium include a
read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc (CD)-ROM, a magnetic
tape, a floppy disk, and an optical data storage.
[0168] The computer-readable recording medium can be distributed over a computer system
connected to a network so that computer-readable code is written thereto and executed
therefrom in a decentralized manner. Functional programs, code, and code segments
needed to realize the above-described method can be easily derived by programmers
skilled in the art.
[0169] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms than those set forth
herein without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present
invention. The above description is therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative
and not restrictive. The scope of the invention should be determined by reasonable
interpretation of the appended claims and all changes coming within the equivalency
range of the invention are within the scope of the invention.
[Mode for Invention]
[0170] Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.
[Industrial Applicability]
[0171] The liquid lens, and the camera module and the optical device including the same
according to embodiments may be used in a camera/video device, a telescope, a microscope,
an interferometer, a photometer, a polarimeter, a spectrometer, a reflectometer, an
autocollimator, a lensmeter, and a portable device such as a smartphone, a notebook
computer, or a tablet computer.